West Park Rottweiler Killed By Bee Attack

Rico the rottweiler was killed by bees outside his West Park home. (CBS4)

WEST PARK (CBS4) – It was a sad reminder of just how deadly bee stings can be.

The owner of a six-year-old Rottweiler says his beloved pet Rico was attacked and killed by a swarm of bees as he was giving him a bath in his back yard.

“I was just there giving Rico a bath and this happened,” said Robert Denmark. “I don’t know how this happened or why but suddenly they swarmed all over the place. They stung me here all over on my chest and my neck.”

Denmark told D’Oench, “It was too much for Rico. Now he’s dead. He just didn’t make it. We’ve had him for 6 years.”

Denmark said the attack happened behind his home at 4929 S.W. 22nd Street. He said he believes the bees came from a neighbor’s yard.

“This has never happened before,” he said.

“I took him to the Vet but he did not make it,” said Denmark.

“This was a good dog,” said Cyntheria Barrett, who also owned the dog.

“There was nothing we could do,” she said. “The bees were all over him and Rico. I don’t know if it was the soap or shampoo or whatever it was. I have never seen anything like this before. This dog meant so much to us. This makes me very sad.”

“Rico meant a lot to our family,” she said as she fought back tears. “He was a good companion.”

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to the home.

Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles told D’Oench he was not sure what prompted the sudden attack by the bees and he was not sure if the incident involved Africanized bees or not.

A bee removal service was called to the address to look at the problem and see if there was a hive that needed to be removed.

Jachles said if you see bees swarming, you should immediately head inside your home to get away from them and protect yourself.

He also said you should also contact the proper authorities including bee removal experts.

Peter D'Oench is a reporter for CBS4 News. He came to CBS4 from WKRN in Nashville.
D'Oench was an award-winning member of the WPLG News Team as a reporter from 1989 – 2004. In addition, he was a producer for news, special projects and...